VENDETTA - THE BLOOD FEUD
Part II
Final Chapter
----------------- ---------------- --------------------
ANBefore we get into it, I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks to 3NAJ for this and the last. Oh and you guys can hunt her down for last chapter's cliffy! It was her idea! Mwahahahahahaha! -Sorry, love ya'!
----------------- ---------------- --------------------
Misao and Sano went to work as best they could to take on as many hunters as possible. A shower of blood and limbs fell all around Kaoru and she refused to move from Kenshin's side. She could still make out Aoshi trying his best against Saitou but the damn hunter was proving more of a nuisance than he had expected.
Kaoru knew what the reasoning behind this was, "Come on wolf find the crap and destroy it" she muttered to herself slicing through yet another body coming towards them.
She saw Aoshi engage a few hunters standing behind him as Saitou turned his attention back towards her. The hunter walked calmly amongst the battle surrounding them and stalked his way towards Kaoru and the still ailing Kenshin.
"Don't worry Kaoru, I want to kill each of them slowly and painfully in front of you" he smiled.
"I don't think so Saitou. Take a good look around. You and your stooges won't get away so you better just surrender now" Kaoru replied raising the katana towards him.
He idly shook his head and laughed off her show of pity. She glared back at him, "You've been warned."
She raised the katana and prepared for his attack. He ran towards her full speed and she focused hard to watch every single movement he made. Her eyes narrowed to slits just as his blade came towards her. The blade of her sword interjected and thwarted the attack.
They engaged in battle in a similar fashion as he and Kenshin previously had. She unwillingly had to leave Kenshin but kept a close eye on his form lying still on the ground. She could hear his breathing in one ear, and Saitou's charges in the other.
Just as she pushed Saitou back and managed to smash his face into the hilt of her sword, she saw another hunter make his way towards Kenshin with his sword drawn. Flying into a rage she rushed over, "NO!"
With one swift movement the hunter was cut down his torso cut clear in half by the sharp blade. She turned towards Saitou again. Her face was splattered with droplets of blood and her eyes were wild with anger.
She looked at Kenshin out of the corner of her eyes. He lay on his side, his hands covering the still bleeding wound. "I'm alright Kaoru" he managed to speak with great difficulty.
"That was my fault" she thought looking at him. "I'm so sorry Kenshin. I completely failed you."
She looked around to see Aoshi, Misao and Sano begin to struggle slightly with the overwhelming number of foes they battled. "Shit" she frantically thought, "Where is he?"
"What's wrong Kaoru-chan? You look like you're about to break out into tears. And I wasn't anticipating that until much later!" Saitou heckled.
Kaoru looked up, her grip tightened on the bloody handle of her sword. "I refuse to cry anymore because of you Saitou."
She raced towards him with blinding speed, tears leaving a trail behind her as she prepared the katana in her hands for the attack. Images of Kenshin and rest of the group flooded her mind and her eyes became bleary.
"I've never had this before. Friends, a family and love. I won't allow him to take this from me or to go and hurt more people. I need to be strong just as Kenshin's been strong in protecting everyone. I will be strong."
The two swords met harshly against each other with Kaoru and Saitou face to face. Kaoru focused all her energy and even her anger towards the hunter as she began to overpower him. Her energy began to once again manifest itself into a pure white flame around her form as Aoshi, Misao and Sano looked back from their battles in awe.
Saitou's eyes widened with surprise at her sudden spike in energy. Her blue eyes began to glow with power and quickly they turned completely white. She was able to knock his katana away with hers and give him a cut across his chest, but not before he unsheathed a second katana from his side and sliced at her wrist.
Both jumped back several feet away from each other. Saitou inspected the cut on his chest to see how deep it was. He was surprised to see that sort of energy coming from Kaoru and he would have to think twice about taking her for a weaker adversary.
Kaoru meanwhile was forced to take hold of the katana with her left hand as the cut on her right wrist throbbed painfully with blood. She made sure to stand besides Kenshin once more and looked brazenly towards Saitou, "That was payback".
He shook with laughter, "Come now Kaoru. We appear to be even, why not just give up? That nasty little cut on your wrist will prevent you from fighting any further. Besides, I'd rather not see such precious blood go to waste on the floor. Let your friends walk into their death and I promise to send you after them. Just as soon as I've gotten what I want from you."
She looked up towards him through matted bangs, her face was stained with blood and the warm liquid slinking its way down her palm splattering in droplets onto the cold floor beneath. Slowly she raised her wrist to inspect the wound and closed her eyes to concentrate once more. "For once I'll use my blood as strength instead of a weakness."
Gradually she began to emit the same white aura as before, and the deep throbbing wound began to heal. Saitou's brows furrowed at the sight before him and he prepared for a final attack, "Not so fast…" he rushed towards her.
Just as he neared though, Kenshin grabbed hold of the sword lying next to him, "DO RYU SEN (Ground Dragon Flash)!"
Saitou was sent backwards from the small attack but was caught completely by surprise.
Kenshin once again slumped down and used the sword to support some of his weight. He looked up to see Kaoru's wrist completely healing and she looked back at him in concern.
"So the smell has no effect on you" he smirked through the searing pain, "I'm glad."
"Kenshin!" she exclaimed and ran to his side. He held his hand to keep her from hugging him.
"You have to remain strong Kaoru" his bangs covered the molten orbs she'd fallen in love with.
She gave him an astounded look. Sure he'd wanted her to be stronger and more in control of her anger, but it seemed now he fully believed in her. "I-"
"You're a lot stronger than any of us, I know you have it in you to defeat him. I just saw it a few moments ago" he managed to reply at her curious gaze.
Kaoru looked at him with a renewed determination and nodded. She looked back to see Sano, Misao and Aoshi valiantly continuing to battle. The hunter's numbers were showing signs of weakening. She looked to see where Saitou had been knocked back by Kenshin's attack. "We can do this" she thought, "I can do this."
The hunter was readying himself once more and angrily looked back towards her and Kenshin. "Forget the slow and painful death, I WANT HIS HEAD" he snarled.
She instantly stood in front of him to face Saitou, her katana in her healed hand once more. "Come and get it you dog" she whispered back.
"SANO WATCH OVER KENSHIN" she ordered of the vampire. Sano took a few steps towards Kenshin and nodded as he continued to slay countless mortals one after another.
Kaoru turned her attention back towards Saitou. Her aching muscles tensed and the hold on the sword turned her knuckles white.
"GATOTSU ISHIKI! (Fang Stab First Stance)" she heard him scream as he advanced towards her.
"You won't be able to dodge this one" he smirked to himself.
Kaoru readied herself as he got closer and closer. Misao caught sight of the attack from the corner of her eyes and turned to watch, "KAORU WATCH OUT!"
At the last possible moment, which she'd timed Kaoru blocked his attack, "HADOME (Blade Block)!"
Saitou was left speechless again as the young woman blocked his attack and took hold of the blade of his sword.
She looked up at him with no fear evident in her clear blue eyes, "HAWATARI (Blade Clash)!" With that she thrust forward and with the top of the blade and hit him on the head.
The hunter fell back and lay flat on the ground, immobile from the swift blow he'd received. Kaoru stood over him and positioned the blade at his neck. She looked down at the pitiful sight of him, bloody, broken and defeated. "I shouldn't allow myself to make your death so painless and quick" she seethed. "You should suffer and account painfully for every life you took and destroyed in your years."
He said nothing and only lay there wondering how such a young woman could defeat him.
She grew angry at his unresponsiveness, "ANSWER ME!" she screamed and proceeded to kick him violently in the side of his stomach and face. "YOU CRAZY ASSHOLE, ANSWER ME!"
The only sound he made was the blood gurgling from his throat and spilling down his chin. She looked on frowning at him, "You're pathetic and now finished."
Just then Leejin ran into the room still in his werewolf form. "It's done" he growled at her. She didn't say anything in response and looked back towards Kenshin.
"Please…" she begged and saw him finally stir slightly.
Forgetting everything else, she ran over to him and let him rest his head in her lap. "Kenshin?" she asked in concern.
His eyes were still closed and she looked down to see the wound finally closing. The shirt he wore was almost completely soaked in blood. "Kenshin?" she repeated softly.
Slowly he opened his eyes to look up at her, blinking several times to adjust to the light flooding his vision. Finally he smiled letting her know he was back, "Kaoru" he managed to whisper as his hand traveled to her blood stained cheek.
She let his cold fingers pass over her skin and breathed in his musky, gingerly scent now laced with the coppery smell of blood. Just as quickly though his hand fell from her face and his eyes closed once more leaving her frantic. "Kenshin!" she shook him slightly by his shoulders, "Kenshin!"
"He needs blood" Sano yelled from nearby as he continued to fight, his strength returning to him as well as the others.
They were easily cutting down the hunters in their way who in turn looked lost and distraught without the guidance of their fallen leader. Misao ran over to Kaoru and Kenshin while the other three men continued to fight the last of their foes.
"Kaoru we need to get out of here in the next 7 minutes. We rigged the generators and electrical controls with explosives. Megumi has been instructed to detonate them in 7 minutes regardless of anything!" she frantically told her and turned once more to protect her friends against the attacks.
The raven-haired woman looked back at the man lying silently in her arms. Even though his wounds had sealed, his skin was still pale and was cold to the touch. "He won't make it unless I do something." Instinct taking over her thought process; she brought her wrist to her lips.
"I hope this works" she thought before clamping her teeth over the skin of her wrist. She could feel the incisors throbbing and her heart rate accelerated. Instantly the newly sharpened and lengthened fangs pierced her own flesh and drew the blood from within. Looking down at the broken skin from the twin puncture marks she saw the dark rich liquid begin to pool there
Without another thought she raised her bleeding wrist to his lips and used her other hand to ease his mouth over the blood. Initially the blood dripped slowly on its own into his mouth and slid down his throat. She looked on growing more concerned with every moment that passed as he showed no response.
Just then Kaoru felt something brush against the pulsing points in her wrist. It felt warm and she could slightly see his throat moving as he began to drink the liquid. A few seconds later she felt it again. His tongue grazed the wounds and tasted the coopery, sweet liquid.
His hands came up to hold her wrist to his hungry mouth and continued to suckle the blood from her body. Kaoru felt the pinch of his fangs descending into the broken skin, piercing a deeper vein and drawing more blood. Her heart raced with anticipation at the feel of him entering her and then drawing himself out.
She threw her head back slightly and closed her eyes at the feel of the warm liquid passing from her body into his. She was warm and her skin tingled as her muscles relaxed. It was taking all her self control to not let out a moan at the feel of his lips and tongue touching her sensitive skin.
She wondered why people always complained of being cold when they were attacked by vampires. At the moment she swore her skin was lightly coated with sweat because of the warmth flooding her body. Her mind whirled about as the world around them melted away. She closed her eyes and continued to feel the warmth from his mouth spreading through her body from the points in her wrist.
"K-Kenshin" she managed to whisper; her eyes still clamped shut.
As if being awoken from a dream, Kenshin's eyes suddenly shot open at the sound of her voice. He looked up to see her breathing deeply and her eyes where closed. He put two and two together and immediately took her wrist from his lips and saw the small wounds slowly start to heal.
"Kaoru" he looked up at her while still lying in her lap. It was astonishing to realize that the young woman had saved him countless times today. And now she nearly let him drain every drop of her blood to revive him.
Instead of being pale though, her cheeks were flushed and sheen of sweat graced her brow as she opened her eyes to look back down at him. "You're alright" she smiled.
"Because of you" he replied smoothly.
Kaoru dreamily looked down at him, her body still slightly weakened and mind hazy from the blood transfusion. Kenshin realized considering the amount of blood she'd allowed him to drink, if she were a mortal she'd be laying in a near coma right now. He thanked her mixed blood for keeping her safe even from him.
Just as he was about to pull her lips towards his, a grumbling noise from behind her took hold of his senses. He tried to clear his mind and focus his returning energy and strength while quietly slipping his hand around the hilt of the sword lying on the ground.
He sat up slightly and wrapped his free hand around her shoulders while concentrating only on the origin of the sound that alerted his senses.
"YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE!" came the ferocious cry as Saitou came rushing towards them with sword drawn. His face was bloodied along with much of his body, but the cursed man refused to be beaten.
Kenshin pushed Kaoru out of the line of danger and he sprang forth standing in front of her to meet the hunter, sword in hand. His eyes glowed with a renewed strength and more fury towards the single hunter than he could control. A growl escaped his lips as he readied for what he knew would be the final attack.
"AMA KAKERU RYU NO HIRAMEKI (Attack of the Flying Dragon)!"
The occupants of the room turned to watch in awe as the redhead executed the fatal and blindingly fast attack. The very air around the two men broke from the powerful blow of Kenshin's sword as it struck Saitou and ripped his torso in half from the top of his head, down.
The energy and boom from the attack reverberated throughout the room, leaving everyone including Kaoru staring at the panting Kenshin. Saitou's two halves crashed down and splattered on the floor while his face was frozen in an expression of terror and surprise.
"Show off" Sano smirked standing admits the rest of the hunter's bodies.
"We have to move, NOW!" Aoshi instructed.
Kenshin dropped the sword and walked over to Kaoru who still sat on the floor looking up at him, her eyes wide. She was still weak from the blood loss, but was able to stay conscious during the entire ordeal.
He scooped her up in his arms and followed the group out of the room in silence. Her head rested comfortably against his chest and she allowed her heavy eyes to shut once more as his warmth sunk into her skin. She could somehow make out his silent breaths as they seemed to glide through the air instead of running or walking. There was no extra energy left to even open her eyes and see for herself. Instead she trusted him completely with her life and continued to let him carry her to safety.
The group rushed up from the depths of the complex and made their way outside.
"It's gonna blow any minute" Sano informed the awaiting Soujiro. "Eh, you've been busy too I see" he observed of the mass of bodies lying outside the building.
Seconds later several blasts were heard rumbling from deep inside the building and it was engulfed in flames moments after that.
Kenshin turned to Soujiro who spoke before Kenshin could. "I'll see to the rest Battousai."
Kenshin nodded in response and turned to walk away. His attention fell back to the warm bundle in his arms and she slowly began to open her eyes. Gently he crouched down and held her to his chest as she gained her senses. Her body was already quickly reproducing the lost blood.
Kenshin looked down to gaze into her clear blue eyes once more and was reminded of the first time he saw them. Her skin was marred by dirt and blood and her long black hair was tangled and matted around her face, but to him she was still magnificently beautiful.
She blinked a few times and looked back up at him and then at the rubble surrounding them. "You killed him" she turned back towards him.
He nodded, "I couldn't allow your hands to become covered in his filthy blood."
She was silent for several minutes and continued to mull over his words as they slowly sank in. She'd missed the opportunity to make him pay and that pang of regret hit her hard. Her eyes became cloudy with tears and she stole her glance from Kenshin. "I failed" she whispered.
Kenshin instinctively held her chin up to make her face him, "You didn't fail. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here. In fact I don't think any of us would be here. You took him on alone and found the strength to defeat him. I'm very proud of you."
A few tears continued to spill down her dirty cheeks and Kenshin happily wiped them away. "It's alright koishi, let it out. It's finally over for him. You can be at peace."
She threw her arms around him and buried her face in the crook of his neck and shoulder. He affectionately smoothed her tangled hair with his free hand as the other kept her close to his chest.
"You brought me back love. You were ready to give up everything for me. I am eternally indebted to you" he whispered in her ear. After a few uncertain, heart-wrenching moments he finally mustered the courage to ask her, "Will you stay with me?"
Kaoru sat up from hugging him, her hands resting against his chest and looked into his beautiful eyes. She swore they flashed between amber and amethyst for the slightest moment but she was too far enveloped in his embrace to care.
"Yes" she nodded still sniffling and wiping at her tears.
He gave her a genuine smile before pulling her into an embrace and sealing his lips over hers. Her energy still pulsed strongly through him and yet it was nothing compared to the energy she emitted sitting there in his arms.
They both stood up several moments later and approached the rest of the group.
"Damn you two look like all hell" Sano quipped. "Oh and Meg's said there's a ride nearby for us."
Aoshi and Misao parted from their embrace as well to look at the couple. "Yea he's right Kaoru!" Misao laughed.
Kaoru smiled and looked up at Kenshin who in turn wrapped an arm around her shoulders and let her support some his weight, "I guess we could use a shower."
She blushed furiously from the comment and glint in his eyes.
"Come on slackers" Sano instructed as they shuffled towards their ride.
Kaoru and Kenshin walked behind the rest of the group; his arm around her shoulders, and her's around his waist. She took one final look back at the rubble and wondered if she was really rid of him.
Kenshin's grip on her tightened reassuringly, "He's gone and you're here with me."
She looked at him and smiled content to believe his words and the look in his eyes. They continued to saunter towards the rest of the group as the sun's early morning rays scattered from beyond the horizon, bathing everything in its golden glow.
"Kaoru" Kenshin softly spoke.
"Hmm?" she smiled and basked in the new warmth of her fresh new life.
"Did you really call me a 'little bitch' that time?"
She thought about his question and after realizing what he was referring to, burst into laughter unable to control the ecstatic high she was feeling. He sounded so innocent by the tone of his voice; it sent her into a fit of giggles.
"No really, because that was bothering me for a bit" he went on.
She only continued to laugh as they reached the black SUV waiting for them.
THE END
OoOooOoooOooooOoooooO
Thanks to everyone that ever read and reviewed this fic. You are too numerous for me to attempt to list and I wouldn't want to for fear of leaving someone out unintentionally. SO I THANK YOU ALL!
People were asking about her father's origins, who he was, was he still alive, etc. I decided to leave that off for POSSIBLY a sequel to this fic. If you guys want it, just ask! LOL Although I do have other ideas brewing that are keeping me up at night until I type them out!
I had fun writing this and even more fun reading the numerous death threats telling me to update sooner! Lolz…nice…thanks for that guys! I hope you enjoyed the last bits of the fighting sequences. If you didn't think it was up to par, please don't kill me…it was my first and hopefully I'll get better. But let me know what you think.
Well there's something newer up now and I hope you'll enjoy it equally. Although it's not the supernatural genre, I promise to pump it full with plenty of all the 'good stuff' much the same as this one! evil grin
And what I mean by good stuff, you'll just have to read and find out!